Around Us 03-17-09

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, March 22, 2009

LUBBOCK - Police continue investigating the death of an 11-month old boy, but aren't releasing many details about the homicide investigation.

Shawn Patrick Smith was just a few days shy of his first birthday when he died on March 5 at a local hospital - two days after being taken there with "questionable injuries."

According to police reports, a baby sitter was watching Smith in a home in the 2800 block of 85th Street while his parents were at work on the afternoon of March 3.

The infant suffered from serious internal injuries. Medical staff advised police the child's injuries were not consistent with an accidental injury.

Funeral services for Smith were held Thursday. - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK - Two teens are now facing felony charges after they tried to run over an officer with a car while fleeing a burglary late Friday night, police said.

Lubbock police were still looking for Adam Vidales, 19, who was charged Monday with aggravated assault on a public servant. He is believed to be the driver who drove his vehicle at Officer Jess Karren.

Moses Navarrette, 17, who was charged with burglary of a habitation, remains in critical condition at University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

Many details of the shooting incident remain unclear, but police believe Karren shot Navarrette after being dispatched to a burglary in progress in the 1900 block of 63rd Street.

The teen is believed to have been the passenger in the car that fled the scene of a burglary. Police said Vidales drove the vehicle at the officer, who fired his pistol twice at the driver.

Vidales then fled the scene and dropped off Navarrette at the Applegate Shady Acres Mobile Home Park, 7502 Interstate 27, before abandoning his vehicle in the 1200 block of 84th Street, police said.

Officers were dispatched to the mobile home park where they found Navarrette on a porch.

The department is continuing its internal investigation of the shooting, and Karren remains on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure following an officer-involved shooting. Officials say the investigation is preliminary.

Capt. Greg Stevens, department spokesman, said officers are justified in shooting when they feel their lives are in danger.

Stevens said internal affairs was still investigating the details of the shooting.

Karren, 29, is a fairly new officer to the department. He started the police academy in January 2008 and has been on the streets for about eight months. - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

AMARILLO - A 31-year-old woman accused of setting fires at Lamar Elementary School will face charges in Potter County.

Nada Musa was in custody at the Randall County jail Monday on one felony charge of arson. She was arrested March 10 after officials believe she set a fire in the school's main office. The doors had been unlocked for the start of classes.

Musa was arrested by Potter County deputies at Tyson Fresh Meats Plant east of Amarillo. According to the sheriff's office, Musa planned to set a similar fire there.

Randall Sims, 47th district attorney, said he plans to prosecute Musa on a third-degree felony of attempted arson. If convicted, Musa faces two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. If convicted in Randall County, Musa could serve life in prison. - Amarillo Globe-News